Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and the Rhône’s very own Cinsault. It is a black grape variety that was developed specially for the hot South African conditions and comes in a range of styles, but it typically results in wines with medium tannins that show upfront red berry fruit characters, and from mature vines it can produce full-bodied, rich, spiced, berry fruit.

We recently introduced Rijk’s Private Cellar to the range, a premium wine producer from the picturesque valley of Tulbagh, South Africa, who are dedicated to making wines that match with fine food. Following detailed planning with Rijk’s viticulturist, Johan Wiese, the first vines were planted in 1997, with no block exceeding one hectare, allowing for careful management throughout the growing season. Retired cellar master from Nederburg, Gunter Brozel, was drafted in to consult and help plan the 300 tonne state-of-the-art cellar, which was specifically designed for minimum interference in the wine making process.

We first put the Shiraz and the Pinotage to our customers at a wine tasting back in February and the feedback was tremendous. The Pinotage was particularly surprising, perhaps as many would usually pick a wine from the noble varieties over Pinotage, but also because it was simply incredible drinking.

The concentration of flavours were focused and pure, with perfect oak integration and the most terrific toasty notes. Not forgetting the Shiraz, it would hold its own against the very best to come out of Australia. We just had to have both in the Curious collection after the tasting, and although it took us a while to get our hands on some, our guests on that evening will be delighted to know that we have it in stock next to our entry level Long Neck Pinotage and Muddy Water’s delicious alternative from New Zealand. We’re naturally delighted to be able to offer wine drinkers probably the best Pinotage available in Ireland today.

Just three months after opening the doors to the Curious Wines Warehouse, we’re already expanding the range. January 2009 has seen the addition of 18 new wines to the Curious portfolio, all of them now available on the website with, as ever, free delivery anywhere in Ireland.

• After amazing feedback from customers on the Lunar Organic Domaine du Chateau d’Eau range, we’ve added Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to bring the range to eight varietals.
• From the Chilean Winery of the Year, we’ve added four crackers – Carmenere Reserva and Gran Reserva, and Merlot Reserva and Gran Reserva – to the Santa Alicia line-up.
• We’ve extended the instant crowd-pleasing Long Neck range too, with Cabernet-Merlot and Sauvignon-Chenin Blanc blends added.
• From the stunning Burgundy house Moillard, we’ve added two more Beaujolais Cru, the Brouilly Domaine Fort-Michon and, just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Saint-Amour, bringing our range to six of the ten famous Villages.
• And we’ve scooped one of the best wines from the Cote de Nuits in the Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Thorey’.
• Staying in Burgundy, we’re also honoured to have added Jean-Marc Brocard’s Petit Chablis to our line-up – a top wine-maker moving towards full bio-dynamic growing in his own vineyards.
• Meanwhile in Bordeaux, we’ve added the Chateau d’Argadens Blanc from the Sichel stable to the Decanter 5-star red.
• In unapologetically niche regions but with great excitement for us, we’ve beefed up our German and Alsace listings with the delectable Lingenfelder Bird-label Riesling from Pfalz, and the exceptional Alsation Domaine Paul Blanck range. (If you haven’t ventured into these best-kept-secret white wine regions, you don’t know what you’re missing.)
• And finally, after selling out of the Ned Sauvignon Blanc Christmas week, we’re delighted to have also acquired the Decanter-acclaimed Pinot Gris. (And don’t worry, we’ve also stocked-up again on the Sauvi!)

Tasting notes are being compiled on all the new additions, and will be added soon as part of a broader initiative on our product descriptions.

Until then, happy browsing, and stay curious.